April 19, 2011

Hydraulic Tiles - How to use


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 The hydraulic tiles (or cement tiles) technique was developed by the byzantines many years ago and spread around the world, being brought to Brasil by people from Portugal. It is made of cement, iron oxide, marble powder, and then put on a mold with water (that´s why it´s called hydraulic), then its finally dried. Many old houses in Brasil still have this kind of floor covering (my grandmother´s, for example!) but, due to standardization and aceleration of building methods it was slowly replaced by the ceramic ones, which are more common nowadays.


Recently, there was a resumption of the cement tiles use, and it´s being choosen not only to covering floors as usual, but also on walls. Nowadays, the use of hydraulic tiles allows more freedom and the drawings and colours of the pieces are more versatile. Some manufactures offer the costumer the possibility of choosing the colours, drawings and size of the pieces, what gives the opportunity to build a completily personalized design.


Its is an extremely durable and resistent material, easy to clean, and unlikely to show problems such as cracks. Besides, it´s not a good heat conductor, making it a "always fresh" floor covering. The only special need it has, is that you´ll have to cover each piece with an appropriate resine, in other to make it always shiny and bright. It can be found for ordering at finishing stores, or bought directily with the manufacturer.


Hydraulic tiles are great when placed at more relaxed places such as kitchen panels, leisure areas, terrace floors...what your creativity tells you to! It combines beauty and performance, and gives your home a vintage and cozy feeling.



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New Book!


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Recently, the brasilian publisher Perspectiva released one more book to it´s collection of architecture titles: Brasil: Arquiteturas após 1950 (architecture in Brasil after 1950)




The book was witten by Maria Alice Junqueira Bastos and Ruth Verde Zein, and brings an historical perspective of the years between 1950 e 2000, trying to indentify which questions perpassed the last 50 years of brasilian architecture. The authors write about buildings from all regions of Brasil in orther to illustrate their arguments, on a concise and consistent narrative.

According to the publisher, the book came to fulfill the gap that existed on brasilian recent architectural history bibliography, and is a continuation of the work done by Yves Bruand years before.

I´m quite sure the book will become a classic, and will be incorporated to many architecture schools libraries.

A great reading option, not only to students, but also to those interested in learning about Brasil´s architectural history.

Price: from R$ 52,50 to 75,00 (brasilian reais)

Online selling: Livraria BKS, fnac, Livraria Cultura, Livraria Saraiva.

Note: Only available in portuguese.


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Teak Wood

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Lately, a certain kind of wood is gaining more and more fans on the interior design world, specially in Brasil: the teak wood!

 



Teak wood comes from an Indian tree species (Tecnona grandis), and some of it´s characteristcs are great stability and high resistance to water, what made it become widely used on naval industry, for shipbuilding.



Teak wood is notable not only because it is an excellent option for using in wet areas such as bathrooms, but also because of its beautiful coloured pattern, which combines dark and clear tones; besides, it is lighter than other resistent types of wood, such as mahogany. It can be used (it is recommended to do some sealer and varnish work before) as table and sink tops, countertops, for making panels, and bulding furniture.



It´s got great durability and resistance, and is almost impossible to it to be attacked by plagues such as termites.

Due to all these characteristics, it costs more than other types of wood, but, it must be considered as an ivestment, cause teak wood will certainly give an "up" on the room it´s located. 

It will look great integrated with a "cleaner" composition, being the focus of the room.

It´s perfect for those who want to give an aura of sofistication and comfort to the interior design project, and at the same time, invest in a high quality material. Teak wood is a great choice!












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April 16, 2011

White Pentel!


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Every architect when designing and even when writing, does not waive the right to a good old mechanical pencil (propelling pencil)...there are many brands on the market, but many prefer the Pentel.

This week while "strolling" at the mall, I found in a bookstore, a white coloured Pentel 0.5mm! I do not know whether if it's new, but I had never seen one and I just loved it, especially since the black Pentel, although classical, was already a little worned-out...

I found it very classy and beautiful! I didn't even second guess myself, and left the place with mine in my bag. I'm loving it, and everyone who sees it remarks it as really nice ...points to Pentel!

Price: R$ 12.00 on average (Brazilian Reals)
Where: At best bookstores!
Note: Also in version 0.7mm!


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